LINCOLN — In his State of the Judiciary address to the Nebraska Legislature, the state Chief Justice highlighted efforts to better juvenile services.
Michael Heavican claimed the state was detaining fewer juveniles and providing more with community-based treatment services to keep them from reoffending. Over the last six months, there has been a 12% reduction in juveniles and out-of-home placements declined by nearly 8%.
This all comes after the ACLU claimed Nebraska was abusing solitary confinement with juveniles and had no baseline policy for treatment.
Other areas Heavican highlighted are the shortage of mental health and substance abuse facilities in rural parts of the state.
